Fresh water

We are responsible for rebuilding our city's water network. The people of Christchurch need a clean and reliable supply of tap water. Many Christchurch businesses depend on a robust supply of water to manufacture products, keeping our economy moving and providing essential goods and services.

What does fresh water include?

Fresh water, as opposed to wastewater and storm water, is clean water that is delivered to domestic and commercial customers, rather than discharged by them. What we mean by fresh water is what you expect to be delivered when you turn on a tap. While it's not always used for drinking, it needs to be delivered in potable (drinkable) quality. In a domestic setting, it's typically used for cooking, laundry, bathing, garden watering, and for water coming into the toilet.

Some industries make heavy use of water for cooling and cleaning of machinery. Commercially, it's also used as an ingredient in manufacturing and preparing food products. Businesses will also use water to a lesser extent for the same purposes as homes: washing, cleaning, incoming toilet water, even cooking and gardening in some cases.